Compared with the production of light alkenes by traditional thermal cracking of hexane, gas phase oxidative cracking of hexane is in efficient utilization more energy and. capital cost effective for its exothermic character and thus the reaction to proceed under autothermic state with oxygen addition is possible. Due to the easiness of C-H bond rupture in the hexane molecules activated by oxygen and the depression of activation energy of cracking reactions with oxygen participation, higher hexane conversion and light alkenes yield can be achieved at relatively lower temperatures in the gas phase oxidative cracking of hexane than that in pyrolysis, especially below 750degreesC.